Simple Joys of Summer

The taste of summer - fresh strawberries, straight from my Pop's garden, lovingly, organically grown with his special "brand" of compost. How is it a heaping bowl of crimson sweetness can deliver so much happiness? Guess when it comes right down to it, it's those small, simple things in life that create big goodness. Pops and Mama T harvested their bounty, side by side with the chipmunks, over the past few days, and then went into preserving mode.  And the extra bonus - a special jar of homemade strawberry jam. My drop in visits reap great rewards. I'm off to spread some of that goodness on a piece of toast. Loving the simple joys of summer.

Spring in my Walk

Spring is an early arrival -- about two weeks early I'd say. I walked slowly, strolled really, breathing deeply and enjoying the heat and sunshine on my face. And I wondered as I walked. Wondered and marvelled at everything around me. Deep breath. The air was heavy and sweet - and the trees in full blossom. A perfect day. A gift. I sung the soundtrack silently (thankfully for others) as I walked. You know what it was ... Sunshine on my shoulders (c'mon - sing along with me - you know you want to).

The lightness from my walk continued for the rest of the afternoon. I found reason after reason to burst into song - and my cubemate Susie was patient a saint. It was joy to overflowing bursting out. And it didn't stop ... not even when I got in my car to drive home at the end of the day. I started the car, opened the sun roof and flicked on the radio. And no lie -

You are the sunshine of my life
That's why I'll always be around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart...

I sang happily as I drove along and suddenly  the words "forever you'll stay in my heart" choked in my throat - an emotional ambush! A surge of so many feellings at once ... happiness, bliss, sadness that she isn't here to share this. These uncontrolled emotional blips are like flash fires ... fast and furious, and often at the pinnacle of happy. Some minor leakage, a silent acknowledgement of I miss you Mom and then a big smile.

It's true what they say ... love never dies. And a day like today, rich in every way possible leaves my heart full of gratitude, for all that I have, and all that I have had. 

Happy springtime everyone.

Care to Dance?

My secret obsession -- ballroom dancing. Watching it of course - from the couch. Kidlet and I sit watching the cast of characters from Dancing With the Stars foxtrot, samba and salsa around the ballroom floor, critiquing each slip, lift, and twirl as if we know what we are talking about. For me it's not about the stars ... I am mesmerized watching the beauty of two moving as one, gracefully and elegantly .. spoke too soon --Steve Wozniak just did the worm.

That aside, it makes me long for a return to a time when people knew how to dance together. My parents love to dance and seem to know one another's moves before they make them. I remember my father trying to teach us as teenagers ... don't look down; head up; smooth - no bouncing up and down; don't lead; cover the floor ...

There's a special kind of joy in creating a moment together and feeling and moving with the music as one. Maybe I'll get off the couch and hunt hubby down. Care to dance?

Wordless Wednesday: Jumping for Joy

Skipping all the way to the BMW Museum.